Want to Improve Your Photography?

Often we take a photography class, go home, put our camera gear away and leave it there until we go on a holiday. On our holiday, we pick up our camera only to find we’ve forgotten everything we learned in the photography class.  What can you do to keep what you learned fresh in your mind and improve your photography at the same time?  There are many different paths available and you only need to do a few of them to make a huge difference in your photography results.

• Retake the photography class. Anyone can retake any of our photography classes for just 99. Then once you’ve taken the class over again, do one of the following:
• Join a photography club. Many clubs have regular meetings where they have someone speaking about photography.  They also do regular photo shoots with sharing and learning.  Central Okanagan Photographic Society (COPS) is a Kelowna based photography club.  Visit http://www.vernoncameraclub.com/ for information on the Vernon Photography Club, or www.meetup.com/pentictonphotographyclub) for information on the Penticton Photography Club.
• If you don’t want to join a club, find a photographer friend and go out on shoots on a regular basis.
• Take a photo tour or a photo workshop. Once we sold our medical    diagnostics business in 1996, we did several tours and workshops.  Not only did we get to see several countries, but we were travelling with other photographers, including professionals who were there to help us.  Plus someone else did all the organizing to ensure we were at the best places at the most photogenic time of the day. Fabulous way to learn and improve.
• Read photography magazines. Magazines are super for giving you photography tips and creative ideas to try out.  You could even enter some of their contests to really challenge yourself. Here is a list of the magazines we receive: Lenswork (USA), Outdoor Photographer (USA), and Photo Life (Canadian).  There are many others.  Check them out and find one that resonates with you.  Magazines are a great way to keep up on new equipment and gear.
• Internet sites and You Tube. Study other photographers’ work and try out ideas that appeal to you. There are many sites that teach as well as show photographs.  Don’t forget to go out and try some of the ideas.  Just watching You Tube won’t get you working with your camera.
• Give yourself challenges. Here are some examples:
  • Photograph your dog or cat.
  • Once a week, photograph something in your yard.
  • Photograph the same place in all four seasons – for example Gellatly Bay or Gellatly Nut Farm.
  • Attend an antique car show and take shots of the cars and the details of individual cars.

In Photo Life magazine they have a contest every two months with a list of themes—fruit, movement, shoes, and street scenes. Go out and try all of them.

Like anything worthwhile, it means some commitment of time.  It doesn’t have to be hours on end, it could be just one photograph a day.  You’ll find the rewards of gaining knowledge of your camera and improving your photography skills are worth the effort.  As Nike says: “Just do it!” You’ll be glad you did.